Hopple



r. J. F. MULLER. HOPPLE.

(Application filed June 8, 1897.)

No. 627,]3l. Patented June 20, I899.

(No Model.)

0 1n Vania/1 swinging bar.

. llnrrnn STATES PATENT FFICE.

THEODORE J. F. MULLER, OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

HOPPLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 627,131, dated June 20, 1899.

Application filed June 8, 189']. Serial No. 639,858. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern."

Be itknown that LTnnononn J. F. MiiLLnR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, county of Multnomah, State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful deviceto wit, an Improvement on Horse or Training Hopples*of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to hopples for horses, and has for its object to provide a device of the character described adapted to be applied to a sulky, wagon, or the like, thus obviating the necessity of interfering with the free motion of the muscles of the body, but at the same time effectively performing the office for which it is intended.

WVith this objectin view my invention consists in the parts and combination of parts, as will be more fully set 'out in the following specification and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation of my invention, showing the belly-band and the swinging bar swiveled thereto. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the clamping means for securing the ends of the belly'band to the shaft. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail View of the spreader, showing the same secured to one end of the swinging bar. Fig. 5 is a modification of my invention.

Referring to the drawings by letters, A represents a straight metal bar of suitable lightness swivelly connected intermediate of its ends to a flexible band B by means of the connection H. To the ends of this band are secured suitable clips O, which are designed to embrace the shafts a short distance to the rear of the fore legs of the animal, and thus permit the bar A to be suspended from the band B withoutinterferingwith the free movement of the feet of the animal when in motion. To the ends of the swinging bar A are secured, by means of the set-screws d, sliding clips D, which can be moved toward or from the center of said bar to accommodate the device to different-sized animals. To these clips are attached the adjustable spreading devices E, made of metal, to which the straps or holders are attached. These straps pass back to the hind legs of the animal and are secured to the loops Gr, said loops being held in position by the straps G, which are secured to the breeching of the harness, and thus held in position.

It will be noticed that the clip D consists of a slotted block of metal having at its upper side a flange or projection, at one end of which is secured aloop I, engaged by the shap hook or other suitable strap connection I. To the other end of this flange orprojection is pivoted the spreader-arm E, held in operative connection with the straps by means of a loop E.

By the use of the above-described device it will readily be seen that I have provided a hopple which will only act on the hind legs of the animal and by the use of which the fore legs are left free to act independently of the device. The advantage of this will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, as most of the devices now on the market seriously interfere with the animals turning.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a hopple the combination with a bellyband, of securing-clips on each end thereof and adapted to embrace the shafts of a vehiole, of a swinging bar suspended from said band by a swivel connection intermediate of its ends, ad just-able spreading devices positioned on the ends of said bar, and straps and loops connected to said spreading devices,substantially as described.

2. In ahopple,the combination with a bellyband, of the securing-clips at each end thereof adapted to embrace the shafts of a vehicle, a straight bar pivotally suspended to said band intermediate of its ends, of a clip slidingly secured to said bar, a spreader-arm pivotally mounted to said clip and adapted to operate, substantially as set forth.

3. In a hopple,tl1e combination with a bellyband having securing-clips on the ends thereof adapted to embrace the respective shafts of avehicle, a straightabar pivotally suspended to said band, intermediate its ends, of a clip slidably mounted to said bar at each end and adapted to be rigidly secured thereto at predetermined distances from the ends of said bar, substantially as described.

4. Inahopp1e,the combination withabellyprojection and a spreader-arm pivotally seband, ofastraightbarpivotallysecured therecured on said flange or projection, said arm to intermediate its ends, a spreading device engagingthe straps,substantia1ly as set forth. 1o adjustable 0n the respective ends of said bar, THEODORE J. F. MULLER. 5 said spreading devices comprising a slotted Witnesses:

block carrying a flange or projection on its JAMES GLEASON, upper face, aloop on one end of said flange or F. M. MULKEY. 

